Garmin GA 38 User manual
GA™38
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
Important Safety Information
WARNING
See the Important Safety and Product Information guide in the GPS device product box for product warnings and
other important information.
CAUTION
To avoid possible personal injury, always wear safety goggles, ear protection, and a dust mask when drilling,
cutting, or sanding.
NOTICE
When drilling or cutting, always check what is on the opposite side of the surface to avoid damaging the vessel.
This antenna can be installed to provide a stronger GPS signal to a compatible Garmin® chartplotter. This
antenna uses a BNC connector to connect to the port labeled ANTENNA or EXT GPS on a compatible Garmin
chartplotter.
Antenna Mounting Considerations
CAUTION
Do not install or store the antenna near strong magnets, including speakers. A strong magnetic field can
damage the antenna.
You can mount the antenna on a flat surface or attach it to a standard 1in. OD, 14threads per inch,
pipe-threaded pole (not included). You can route the cable outside of the pole or through the pole. For best
performance, consider these guidelines when selecting the antenna mounting location.
• To ensure the best reception, the antenna should be mounted in a location that has a clear, unobstructed
view of the sky in all directions .
• The antenna should not be mounted where it is shaded by the superstructure of the boat , a radome
antenna, or the mast.
• The antenna should not be mounted near the engine or other sources of Electromagnetic Interference (EMI)
.
TA-2013/783
GUID-4523A703-20B6-4900-8AA1-7FD4DDDF628D v7September 2023
• The antenna should not be mounted near known ferrous metal objects such as a toolbox or compass.
• If a radar is present, the antenna should be mounted above the path of the radar . If necessary, the antenna
may be mounted below the path of the radar .
• The antenna should not be mounted directly in the path of the radar .
• The antenna should not be mounted within 1m (3ft.) of a VHF radio antenna or the path of a radar .
Testing the Mounting Location
1Temporarily secure the antenna in the preferred mounting location and test it for correct operation.
2If you experience interference with other electronics, move the antenna to a different location, and test it
again.
3Repeat steps 1–2 until you observe full or acceptable signal strength.
4Permanently mount the antenna.
2
Surface Mounting the Antenna
NOTICE
If you are mounting the bracket on fiberglass with screws, it is recommended to use a countersink bit to drill a
clearance counterbore through only the top gel-coat layer. This will help to avoid cracking in the gel-coat layer
when the screws are tightened.
Before you permanently mount the antenna, you must test the mounting location for correct operation (Testing
the Mounting Location, page2).
1Using the surface-mount bracket as your mounting template, mark the three pilot-hole locations and trace
the cable-hole in the center of the bracket.
2Set the surface-mount bracket aside.
Do not drill through the bracket.
3Use a 3.2mm (1/8in.) drill bit to drill the three pilot holes.
4Use a 25mm (1in.) drill bit or hole saw to drill or cut the cable hole in the center.
5Use the included M4 screws and a Phillips screwdriver to secure the surface-mount bracket to the mounting
surface.
If the included M4 screws are too short, use M4 screws of appropriate length.
6Route the cable through the center hole, and connect it to the antenna.
7Verify the large gasket is in place on the bottom of the antenna, place the antenna on the surface-mount
bracket, and twist it clockwise to lock it in place.
8Use the M3 set screw and a 1.5 mm hex wrench to secure the antenna to the mounting bracket .
9Route the cable away from sources of electronic interference.
3
Mounting the Antenna on a Pole
Mounting the Antenna with the Cable Routed Outside the Pole
Before you permanently mount the antenna, you must test the mounting location for correct operation (Testing
the Mounting Location, page2).
1Route the cable through the pole-mount adapter , and place the cable in the vertical slot along the base
of the pole-mount adapter.
2Screw the pole-mount adapter onto a standard 1in. OD, 14 threads per inch, pipe-threaded pole (not
included).
Do not overtighten the adapter on the pole.
3Connect the cable to the antenna.
4Place the antenna on the pole-mount adapter and twist it clockwise to lock it in place.
5Use the included M3 set screw and a 1.5 mm hex wrench to secure the antenna to the adapter .
6With the antenna installed on the pole mount, fill the remaining gap in the vertical cable slot with a marine
sealant (optional).
7Attach the pole to the boat if it is not already attached.
8Route the cable away from sources of electronic interference.
Mounting the Antenna with the Cable Routed Through the Pole
Before you permanently mount the antenna, you must test the mounting location for correct operation (Testing
the Mounting Location, page2).
1Position a standard 1in. OD, 14 threads per inch, pipe-threaded pole (not included) in the selected location,
and mark the approximate center of the pole.
2Use a 19mm (3/4in.) drill bit to drill a hole for the cable to pass through.
3Fasten the pole to the boat.
4Thread the pole-mount adapter onto the pole.
Do not overtighten the adapter.
5Route the cable through the pole and connect it to the antenna.
6Place the antenna on the pole-mount adapter and twist it clockwise to lock it in place.
4
7Use the included M3 set screw and a 1.5 mm hex wrench to secure the antenna to the adapter .
8With the antenna installed on the pole mount, fill the vertical cable slot with a marine sealant (optional).
9Route the cable away from sources of electronic interference.
Mounting the Antenna Under the Deck
NOTICE
Before using the included screws to secure the under-deck mounting bracket, verify they are short enough to
avoid penetrating through the surface. If necessary, purchase screws of the appropriate length.
Before you permanently mount the antenna, you must test the mounting location for correct operation (Testing
the Mounting Location, page2).
Because the antenna cannot acquire signals through metal, it must be mounted under a fiberglass surface only.
The under-deck mounting kit is supplied with the white antenna models only.
1Place the adhesive pads on the under-deck mounting bracket .
2Place the antenna in the under-deck mounting bracket.
3Adhere the under-deck mounting bracket to the mounting surface.
4Secure the under-deck mounting bracket to the mounting surface with screws.
5Connect the cable to the antenna .
6Route the cable away from sources of electronic interference.
5
Specifications
Measurement Specification
Dimensions (diameter x height) 319/32 × 115/16in. (91.6 × 49.5mm)
Weight 7.1oz (201g)
Temperature range White model: From -30° to 80°C (-22° to 176°F)
Black model: From -30° to 70°C (-22° to 158°F)
Case material Fully gasketed, high-impact plastic alloy
Water rating IEC 60529 IPX7
Compass-safe distance 114mm (4.5in.)
Limited Warranty
The Garmin standard limited warranty applies to this accessory. For more information, go to garmin.com
/support/warranty.
Australian Purchases: Our goods come with guarantees that cannot be excluded under the Australian
Consumer Law. You are entitled to a replacement or refund for a major failure and for compensation for any
other reasonably foreseeable loss or damage. You are also entitled to have the goods repaired or replaced if the
goods fail to be of acceptable quality and the failure does not amount to a major failure. The benefits under our
Limited Warranty are in addition to other rights and remedies under applicable law in relation to the products.
Garmin Australasia, 30 Clay Place, Eastern Creek, NSW 2766, Australia. Phone: 1800 235 822.
© 2023 Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries
Garmin® and the Garmin logo are trademarks of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries, registered in the USA and other countries. These trademarks may not be used without the
express permission of Garmin.
© 2023 Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries support.garmin.com
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